Investigation of the Effect of Folic Acid Based Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Human Leukemic CCRF-CEM Cell Line

BACKGROUND: Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems have attracted significant attention in the field of cancer nanotechnology. This study determines the effect of folate-based Fe(2)O(3 )nanoparticles. This study aimed to decorate nanoparticles with folate (FA), a molecular ligand for ‘active’ targeting of cancerous cells and the application of modified-nanoparticles in cancer treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The nanoparticles were prepared by a solvent evaporation and emulsification cross-linking method and anticancer activity of agent was evaluated on CCRF CEM cells, derived from human blood cancer samples. RESULTS: The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques, and uniform nanoparticles with an average particle size of 110±15 nm were obtained. Cytotoxicity tests showed that the SPIO-FA had higher cell toxicity, and confocal microscopy analysis confirmed excellent cellular uptake efficiency. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that FA based SPIO-NPs have potential uses as anticancer drug carriers and also have an enhanced anticancer effect.